Kapfen­berg gain revenge against ATSE Graz – Kufstein cele­brate first win of the season in Dorn­birn

The KSV Kängurus faced ATSE Graz in a Styrian derby in the Eastern Division on Sunday. The two teams had already faced each other this season, with Graz claiming a surprise 2:1 overtime win in Kapfenberg in the rescheduled opening match at the end of September.

From the outset, it was a fast-paced and intense affair, with both teams looking to attack. The Kängurus took the lead during their first extended spell of pressure in the offensive zone, as Lukas Telsnig fired home clinically for 1:0 (9 min.). Shortly afterwards, the Mürztal side successfully killed off their first penalty. A little later, the team coached by player-coach Kristof Reinthaler had their first power play, but failed to score.

Early in the second period, Kapfenberg had another power play and patiently combined for Christoph Draschkowitz to make it 2:0, netting from close range (23 min.). After another attack, Iacopo Granza was perfectly positioned in the slot and scored the 3:0 for the KSV Kängurus with a backhander (26 min.).

The team coached by head coach Markus Losch tried every possible way to get back into the game, but the hosts defended well and, together with netminder Oliver Zirngast, gave up very little. Early in the final period, Kapfenberg scored what appeared to be the decisive goal: Christoph Draschkowitz fired a power-play one-timer from a tight angle to make it 4:0 (42 min.).

Just 13 seconds later, Filip Matijević scored ATSE’s first goal (42 min.). Following a quick counter-attack, Mathias Werkl fired from the left face-off circle and scored superbly to make it 2:4 (47 min.). The match suddenly became exciting again, until Kapfenberg soon made it 5:2 on the power play, with Stefan Trost firing into the far corner from the left face-off spot (49 min.).

Graz were unable to add any further pressure at the end, and the Kängurus gained revenge for their opening defeat at the end of September. Next Saturday, Kapfenberg face reigning champions Sharks Gmunden in a major showdown, before Gmunden host ATSE Graz at the Haifischbecken am Traunsee the following day.

Sharks Gmunden remain flawless

Defending champions UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden faced HDK Maribor at the muki Arena in the Eastern Division on Saturday. Marc-André Dorion (7 min.) and Dominik Stöttner (15 min.) gave the Sharks a 2:0 lead, before Adi Drnda pulled one back to make it 1:2 for the Foxes (18 min.).

The reigning Upper Austrian champions extended their lead to 4:1 in the second period, with Paul Ornetzeder shortly after the halfway point of the game (32 min.) and Elias Koller on the power play (37 min.) securing a three-goal lead after 40 minutes. In the final period, the team coached by head coach Gregor Baumgartner scored twice more: André Flatscher took the score to 6:1 with a brace (41 min., 46 min.), as the Sharks celebrated their fourth win in four games.

Western Division:

HC Kufstein celebrate first win of the season in Dornbirn

On Sunday, Dornbirner EC Bulldogs faced their neighbours in the standings to conclude the matchday in the Western Division HC Kufstein. The Dragons made a dream start at the Messestadion: following a scramble in front of goal, Samuel Sappl reacted quickest and scored from close range to make it 1:0 after just under four minutes (4nd).

The first period then developed into a fast-paced contest, with play flowing freely from end to end. The Tyroleans held a slight edge, while the Bulldogs remained dangerous on swift counter-attacks. Neither team was able to capitalise on its first power play. Just under a minute and a half before the end of the period, Kufstein made it 2:0 when Clemens Paulweber beat DEC netminder Fabian Pozzera from the slot (19th).

The visitors started the second period with even more pressure but were unable to add a third goal. The Vorarlberg side came close to pulling one back, particularly during two power plays in this phase, but Kufstein goaltender Thomas Pfarrmaier kept a clean sheet.

At the other end, Fabian Pozzera kept his team in the game while shorthanded. Kufstein took another penalty towards the end of the period, but after 40 minutes it remained 2:0 to Head Coach Andreas Luchner's team. In the final period, Kufstein extended their lead as Valentin Hammerle deflected the puck in from close range to make it 3:0 (49th).

Shortly after a power play had expired, Herbert Steiner scored from the right to make it 4:0 for the Dragons (51st). On a power play, the Tyroleans combined their way in front of goal, where Markus Prock was able to convert for 5:0 (56th). That was the final score. Thomas Pfarrmaier recorded a shutout, and the Kufstein Dragons celebrated their first win in their fourth game, moving above the Bulldogs in the standings.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division OST:

KSV Kängurus vs. ATSE Graz 5:2 (1:0,2:0,2:2)
Sun, 02 November 2025, 18:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
KSV Kängurus scorers: Lukas Telsnig (at 08:53), Christoph Draschkowitz (at 22:03/PP1, at 41:45/PP1), Iacopo Granza (at 25:01), Stefan Trost (at 48:38/PP1)
ATSE Graz scorers: Filip Matijević (at 41:58), Mathias Werkl (at 46:15)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor 6:1 (2:1,2:0,2:0)
Sat, 01 November 2025, 18:30, muki Arena Gmunden
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Marc-André Dorion (at 06:25), Dominik Stöttner (at 14:03), Paul Ornetzeder (at 31:19), Elias Koller (at 36:56/PP1), André Flatscher (at 40:33, at 45:51)
HDK Maribor scorer: Adi Drnda (at 17:11)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein had a bye.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. HC Kufstein 0:5 (0:2,0:0,0:3)
Sun, 02 November 2025, 17:30, Messestadion
HC Kufstein scorers: Samuel Sappl (at 04:02), Clemens Paulweber (at 18:35), Valentin Hammerle (at 48:18), Herbert Steiner (at 50:23), Markus Prock (at 55:41/PP1)

EHC Lustenau vs. SC Samina Hohenems 3:2 after penalties (1:0,1:0,0:2,0:0,1:0)
Fri, 31 October 2025, 18:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau
EHC Lustenau scorers: Stefan Hrdina (at 11:59), Lucas Haberl (at 34:11), Martin Grabher Meier (decisive penalty)
SC Hohenems scorers: Kai Fässler (at 52:00), Benjamin Kyllönen (at 54:18)

EHC Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins 9:1 (1:1,1:0,7:0)
Fri, 31 October 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Kundl scorers: Matko Pavetić (at 07:38), Lion Ramoser (at 30:21, 59:20), Maximilian Mackner (at 43:34), Simon Brandner (at 43:48), Alexander Frandl (at 44:19), Valentin Ploner (at 47:41, 58:27/SH1), Maximilian Agerer (at 56:28)
WSG Wattens Penguins scorer: Noah Polig (at 01:23)

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season with its first matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format will change in Phase 1 across the two divisions: West, with six teams, and East, with five teams. In the Division East, the coming season will feature a two-and-a-half-round home-and-away format, resulting in 20 games per team. In the Division West, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, likewise resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, an interregional play-off will once again take place, starting with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The coming season will also see a play-off pick after the regular season to provide additional excitement. The highest-placed team in each of the West and East divisions may select its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the play-off match-ups will be decided in best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

All Ö Eishockey Liga tables, statistics and fixtures in the Gamecenter

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